Knee & Hip Replacement Community

Hey, I had my TKR on May 1. I agree totally with you. I've thought the same thing, that after I recover from this I would love to be able to help someone else get through this with encouragement. I'm also surprised at certain people (friends and family) who I haven't even heard from! If they only knew!!

I, too, am in great pain, although it's not as bad as the first 2 weeks. And I'm still on pain meds. In fact, I just put in a call to my doctor about increasing what I take for therapy. I take something stronger for that "torture."

How's your ROM? My doctor told me I was way behind! On Friday I got up to 98, but today it was 95. I have to go to therapy every day.

I'd love to share our progress and encourage each other.

Take care...Elizabeth

Wow PT every day. I go twice a week. My ROM is just over a 100. I'll pay more attention the next time they measure, I think my biggest complaint is lack of sleep. I get a 2 hrs at one time, I can't imagine sleeping through the night. My husband is trying very hard but housekeeping isn't his thing and he's always complaining. He gets mad because I won't go out on the deck but until its cleaned I'm not comfortable sitting there

Both of my knee caps still burn and pain behind the knee. I can't wait to feel normal. when i wake up in the morning i get very discouraged because the pain is still so intense. lets keep in touch and hopfully soon we will be more positive.

Good morning! I don't sleep at night, either. I wake up every single hour. I take a pain pill somewhere between 2 and 3 a.m., and after that, I may get about 3 hours sleep. What a bummer!

I feel like telling them today at therapy to go ahead and bend it to 100, so I can at least say "I'm there!" Everybody keeps telling me I'm letting the pain keep me from bending, well, duh!! It's kind of hard not to!

I also have fibromyalgia, which I think makes things even more painful.

I don't know if I'd done this, had I known. What about you? All I heard were people saying, "oh, you'll be so glad you did it."

Well, gotta go....my hubby and I do bending/stretching several times a day to try and help me get more flexion. He's determined to get me up in the 120's, so I won't have to have a manipulation. That's what the doctor wants to do, if I don't improve a good bit by next week. I don't think I'm going to do it, unless I can't make any more progress.

Take care....I'll let you know how therapy goes today.
Elizabeth

Hi,
Went for PT today. went on the bike for the first time. they said this will help with the pain, Will see, I couldn't ride forward only backwards. That was strange.

I probably slept the best last night. I was trying to sleep on my side but my arm fell asleep.

I am still in so much pain I doubt very much if I would of had this surgery. I think they need to be more honest.

I'm suppose tom go to the dentist next week but I'm so afraid of getting an infection.

tomorrow I see the physicians assistant for my 5 week check up. I know shes's going to say I'm doing good but I don't care this hurts.

Take Care,
Marilyn

Hey, Marilyn....I know what you mean...people telling you you look so good. Well, if they only knew! Just make sure before the dentist, you take an antibiotic. I guess you'd call your dentist to give it to you. I'll have to remember that, too, in a few months.

When I get on the bike, I can't go all the way around, either. Although the pt tells me I'm so close! I just can't make that little turn.

I'll be anxious to see what your PA says about your progress. I'll be curious to know if other drs. are pushing being at 120 by 3 weeks!!! Oh at therapy yesterday I got to 102! I just told the PT to go ahead and take it to 100, so we did. I was so proud. The whole gym heard me!!

Well time for lunch, then heavy duty pain pills, then therapy. I'll check back here when I get home.

Take care.....Elizabeth

Went to the doctors today and was reassured that I am doing great and everything should be getting easier. Saw my new xrays and couldn't believe how straight my legs are.

The doctor gave me pills to help with the pain in my legs at night. I think this is a muscle relaxer. Skelaxin. Hopefully this will work.

I go for PT twice a week. Did you say your going everyday? After being on the bike it did seem to loosen up my knee. So my husband went out today to get me a stationary bike so I can go on everyday. He must be getting tired of doing all the work.

PS I don't get why they are pushing you to be 120 in 3 weeks.
I guess I'm lucky there. honestly they said I should be very happy with my progress.

I'm going off vicadin because I think it affecting my personality. I get so angry and then I'm crying. Hopefully this will help.

Good Luck bike. I do think this will help

Take Care... Marilyn

Hey, Marilyn...how nice that must be to be encouraged by your doctor. I haven't had that from mine. I'm so glad he's retiring in Aug., but I'll still have to see him maybe a couple more times.

Are you still hurting really bad when they bend your knee? Yesterday they got me to 105, or maybe higher, but there were 3 of them working on me....one on the table bending my knee, one measuring, and one holding me down!! And I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. I screamed so loud, I was embarrassed afterwards, then started crying. It was horrible.

The therapist did tell me that I needed a break today. She told me that my knee needed a day off from the trauma. I think I may go back to 3 times a week. This is so frustrating and draining mentall, physically, and emotionally. I don't know how much more I can take!

Talk to you later. Elizabeth

Elizabeth,
Im so sorry that they are so tough on you. 3 to measure is insane, I was measured to day by one person and and I lay down and then pull my knee back until it hurts and then they measure. Both knees were 108.

today I did the bike for 10 minutes. I was very proud of myself. I wish you had the same encouragement that I get. In fact they always tell me that I'm to hard on myself.

Maybe you need to take control and only push yourself just past the point of pain and no further. It must be very hard to go to therapy when you are being treated like that. Everyone heals at a different rate and should not be treated the same.

I feel so sorry for you.
Good Luck,
Marilyn

I had right TKR in May 2010. Pain was managed well with meds, but swelling and stiffness were a problem. Started outpatient PT in June 2010. Lots of pain trying to bend the knee. Did 3 times a wk for 4 months. Left knee was so bad I couldn't do all the things in PT they wanted me to do. Had left TKR this past March 21. This knee was much better. Have been told you can't compare knees, even on yourself - each knee is different. Some tips - Pt 2-3 times per week. On days with no PT, walk 10-15 minutes. Ice, ice, ice. Swelling will inhibit motion. Get more protein!! Boost Protein shakes, protein bars, etc. Have a protein shake before PT - your muscles need the extra protein to do the work and to heal. Take a pain pill 30 minutes before PT. When I first tried the bike I couldn't go all the way around either. Then I could only go backward. Now I can do 12 minutes on the bike, going forward the whole time. Get plenty of water!! Get plenty of rest. I also had trouble sleeping more than 2 hrs at a time. That's part of the recovery. Most importantly - be patient with yourself. This is a hard surgery and a hard recovery. With the first TKR I didn't really feel "normal" until about 9 months after. I am 11 weeks since my second TKR and this one seems to be going better, but I'm not anywhere near "normal" yet. Everybody - just hang in there. Be good to yourself. I'm really happy I got mine done and am looking forward to being able to do much more than I've been able to do. It just takes time.

Thank you for that encouragement!

Today I got to 108!!

Do you mind if I ask how long you had to take pain meds?

I agree. I am 6- weeks post-op and am so frustrated by not being able to do much. Even though I know exercise will help, it is hard to make myself do it when I am so stiff and it hurts so much. Everyone keeps saying to stick with it and it will get better but it is hard to be positive evdn though I know there HAS been progress. It's just so slow. Wish I could help.

Are you still on pain meds, Wilomena? I'll be 6 weeks on Tuesday. How's your ROM?

I have a fairly high pain tolerance, and I was often lectured on the importance of keeping up with the pain meds and not letting the pain get "bad" before taking them. I was on the lowest dose and took them maybe 3 times a day: in the morning when I got up, again about mid to late afternoon, and then before bed. Right now I am 12 wks post-op and only take one before bed, though I suspect that will end soon. Remember - you can't compare your pain or progress with others. With my first TKR in 2012 there were days I would drive home from PT crying - not from pain, but because I thought I should be further along than I was.

Awesome on the 108!! I just barely got 111 last week. My therapist seems to be stepping up the work - more reps, more weight. I'm still having issues with being tired, but I have a pretty crazy schedule! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and all of a sudden you'll be where you want to be.

Good Luck!!